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Published: January 12, 2009
A Pittsylvania County man was killed late Sunday night after the car he was riding in struck a tree on Riverside Drive. The driver of the car has been charged with driving under the influence.
Shortly before 10 p.m., police responded to a traffic accident in the 2800 block of Riverside Drive, according to a news release from the Danville Police Department.
Police said a 2005 Chevrolet Corvette driven by Charles Wayne Barnett Jr. ran off the roadway and hit a tree in the grassy median area.
The passenger in the vehicle, Thomas Gardner Ford, 38, of Pittsylvania County, died from injuries sustained in the wreck, police said.
Barnett, also 38 and from Pittsylvania County, was transported to Danville Regional Medical Center where he was treated for non-life-threatening injuries.
Police have charged Barnett with driving under the influence.
The investigation is ongoing.
Ford was born in Danville and spent most of his life in Blairs, according to his obituary.
He graduated from Dan River High School in 1988 and worked for Multiwall Packaging Inc.
• Contact Sarah Arkin at or (434) 791-7983.
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Reader Reactions
EXACTLY! That is what I was saying yesterday but people are stuck on the booze itself! God bless you, whoever you are!!
What difference does it make as to how much the guy had to drink? He has been charged and will have to face the consequences of the law. Please show some respect for the family of the man who died. What if this was your child and you went online and saw all this waste of arguing about how much they drank before this tragic accident that took your son’s life? As far as the driver is concerned, he made a bad decision which will follow him for the rest of his life!
The saddest thing right now is that you people are bickering about whether he had a beer, or 40 beers or 200 beers. Who cares! The thing you SHOULD be concerned with is that someone died. Thats it, end of story. God Bless the families!
My thoughts and prayers are with both families at this time. You have my utmost support, Charles. I am so sorry for the loss of your best friend.
Emily Russell
One beer will not register the level of alcohol needed to be charged with a DUI. I would guess a second test was done at the hospital. My thoughts and prayers go out to both families.
In “DAN VEGAS” anything is possible. SOME of the cops are just as dirty as the crooks and you best hope that a cop doesnt have a personal grudge against you when he pulls you over or happens to run into you out in public… its turning into jonesville around this place
Regardless if he was “drunk” or not, the fact he had been drinking and chose to drove is bad enough. The outcome is worse. It will be bad enough
that he has lost his best friend much less any criminal charges. Hopefully he can get through this and who knows maybe he can help others avoid making the mistake that was made here. Support him for those of us who know him, and pray for both families.
I feel bad for both men. However, you do not get charged for a DUI if you are not drunk. One drink will not register that level of alcohol.
well im not passing judgement i was just asking a question and im sorry to hear he lost his friend
no Charles was not a cop, and he wasn’t drunk. Remember, you can be charged with a DUI, only having one drink. He lost his best friend that night, so for those of you who post, please keep that in mind. Thank you
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